First Book Club Meeting !

Hey everyone ! Our first book will be Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. Below this paragraph is the description & some questions we will go over. If anyone knows of a nice meeting space or café in Harford County, that would be great ! If not, zoom works as well 😊 Also, I would love some feedback if Tuesday works for people or should we do a weekend morning for book club.

“In present-day California, Eleanor Bennett’s death leaves behind a puzzling inheritance for her two children, Byron and Benny: a black cake, made from a family recipe with a long history, and a voice recording. In her message, Eleanor shares a tumultuous story about a headstrong young swimmer who escapes her island home under suspicion of murder. The heartbreaking tale Eleanor unfolds, the secrets she still holds back, and the mystery of a long-lost child challenge everything the siblings thought they knew about their lineage and themselves.”

Questions:

1. What are your first impressions of the novel? If asked, what would you say this novel is about?
2. Again and again we see how black cake provides an emotional core to the Bennetts. What recipes/foods are important to your family? Are there stories you tell about their origins and connections?
3. Who did you think was responsible for Little Man’s death? Were you surprised when the truth was revealed?
4. Why do you think Eleanor chose not to share her history until after her death? What might have been different about her relationships with her children if she had told them the truth earlier?
5. What was your favorite part of the story? Favorite location and time period? The character who interested you the most?
6. Eleanor lived in many places throughout her life, and as many different people. When do you think she felt most herself? Where was home? And how is home defined for you